Abstract
Hookworm-related cutaneous larva migrans (HrCLM) is a neglected parasitic skin disease commonly found in resource-poor communities in tropical countries. It is acquired via skin contact with faeces of cats and dogs, and causes intense pruritus and significant morbidity. We investigated knowledge, attitudes and practices in caregivers of patients with HrCLM by performing focus group discussions (FGDs) with 20 mothers of children with HrCLM in two endemic urban communities in Manaus, Brazil. Additionally, socio-demographic data of 70 actively detected HrCLM patients in both areas were obtained by using questionnaires. We found that mainly children who lived in large households and habitually walked barefoot were affected. Family income was low, housing was poor, and food shortage common. In the FGDs, mothers described HrCLM as a severely distressing condition with considerable impact on individual and family life. Inadequate treatment practices and the identification of poverty-related obstacles for practical prevention of HrCLM by the mothers of affected children indicate that both health education and improvement of living conditions are required jointly.
Highlights
Hookworm-related cutaneous larva migrans (HrCLM) is a neglected parasitic skin disease commonly found in resource-poor communities in tropical countries
Hookworm-related cutaneous larva migrans (HrCLM) is a neglected poverty-associated ectoparasitic disease caused by the migration of larvae of animal hookworms, such as Ancylostoma braziliense, Ancylostoma caninum, or Uncinaria stenocephala, in human skin [1,2]
The centre of attention lies in the qualitative focus group discussions (FGDs), while the quantitative data serve as a supplement to describe the sociodemographic background of the patients and to provide some information about previous HrCLM infestations
Summary
Hookworm-related cutaneous larva migrans (HrCLM) is a neglected parasitic skin disease commonly found in resource-poor communities in tropical countries. It is acquired via skin contact with faeces of cats and dogs, and causes intense pruritus and significant morbidity. Hookworm-related cutaneous larva migrans (HrCLM) is a neglected poverty-associated ectoparasitic disease caused by the migration of larvae of animal hookworms, such as Ancylostoma braziliense, Ancylostoma caninum, or Uncinaria stenocephala, in human skin [1,2]. Studies from Brazil show that HrCLM is an important public health problem in resource-poor neighbourhoods, where prevalences of up to 4% in the general population and up to 15% in children were reported [8,9,10]. Similar to other parasitic skin diseases, HrCLM is difficult to hide and potentially stigmatizing [13,14]
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